Cheeseburger Island

Facing a challenge is a noble endeavor. Putting yourself in a dangerous situation may be stupid.

Take four "committed couples," add 26 scantily clad singles, mix with 380 bottles of suntan lotion and endless cases of fruit-flavored alcoholic beverages -- and put them all on a remote island.

No, this isn't a recipe for "How to Ruin Any Committed Relationship." It's a description of Fox TV's new reality show called "Temptation Island."

To explain the show briefly, Fox has taken four unmarried "committed" couples to a remote island along with 26 attractive singles, and separated the couples for a three-week period where they will "date" the various singles on the island. The purpose of the show, or so we are told, is to see if the relationships can last.

If the relationships are "meant to be," then presumably they will be able to withstand the temptation of the attractive singles on the island -- whose expressed raison d'etre is to wrestle the couples away from one another. However, if they fail the test and succumb to their passions, then (says the Fox theory) it's a good thing those relationships are now over. They should be grateful because, apparently, the relationship was not strong enough in the first place.

Before the show aired, late night talk shows, and water cooler conversations looked disdainfully on Fox's invention. But after the first few episodes, many have slowly gotten used to the idea that relationships are disposable and tempting yourself is natural.

FIGHTING THE URGE

Judaism says differently. On one hand, every test in life is something positive which we can learn and grow from. However, we are not supposed to test ourselves. We are not supposed to put ourselves in compromising situations in the hope that we may come out unscathed.

Let's say, for example, that someone has just decided to keep kosher, but he still has an insatiable urge for cheeseburgers.

Imagine this scene. Our hero is sitting by his desk doing work. The door to his office is opened briefly by a co-worker and a wisp of a cheeseburger passing in the hallway floats invitingly through the opened door and seductively over to our friend's nostrils. He now begins to think of having a cheeseburger.

However, he continues working...

It's now lunchtime. Our hero heads out of the office to grab a bite to eat. He's thinking about a cheeseburger now, but the urge is not out of control.

After leaving the office, he can either turn right toward the kosher deli, or turn left toward McDonald's.

He makes a fateful left turn -- supposedly to speak to a friend -- and finds himself moving quickly almost out of control. He approaches McDonald's, trying to convince himself that he'll only buy a Coke. As he enters McDonald's, he is immediately blasted by the smell of the freshly grilled cheeseburgers and French fries -- which drives his passion into uncontrollable proportions.

Before he knows it, he is swallowing deeply a robust blend of beef, cheese, and special sauce.

At what point did our friend lose the battle?

It was not inside McDonald's. It was when he turned left instead of right after leaving the office. Because at that point he created a situation that afforded him the opportunity to act on his desire.

Not only that, but the urge only reached frenzied proportions as he got closer and closer to McDonald's.

Judaism says that although we may crave that which is forbidden, if we can keep away from situations where we could slip into the negative behavior, then we will be spared the challenge of stumbling.

This is not a cop-out. It is an effective strategy.

In the Fox TV metaphor, it would be considered a bad idea to visit a secluded island while 500 cheeseburgers prance on the beach in their own barely-concealing wax wrappers. Our hero should stay as far away from Cheeseburger Island as he can.

DYNAMICS OF FAILURE

Now what if he gives into his desires one night, and goes on a binge eating every cheeseburger on the island? Would we call him a bad Jew? No, we'd say that he is human. It was a mistake to have put himself in that position in the first place -- precisely because humans are not perfect and our desires can get the better of us.

Yet Judaism says the difference between a righteous person and a non-righteous person is not "that one makes mistakes and one does not."

Rather, the difference is that the righteous person makes mistakes and refuses to give up.

When we set out to conquer an urge, we must know that it is a process that takes time. If you are not getting where you want to be, don't be discouraged. Just remember: Even when you fall down, it is an essential stepping-stone to your ultimate success.

The big question about Temptation Island is whether millions of TV viewers are hoping for the contestants to come off the island having withstood the test, or are secretly waiting for them to fail.

Why would viewers hope they fail? Perhaps it's because their downfall somehow that gives the rest of us permission to fail in our own growth.

The Jewish perspective is to encourage them to pass the test.

On second thought, it would be better if they'd never had the test in the first place.

About the Author

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 22

(22)
Bertrand ESCAFFRE,
December 26, 2012 11:15 AM

Future destination

The island of no mitsva, the idolatry of human body, the ship of no captain. Now, the storm. Soon the abyss. Those who like maïm should fear esh

(21)
Anonymous,
February 11, 2001 12:00 AM

wonderful

I really enjoyed this article- it took something like failure and made it so easy to understand and accept. I enjoy it so much when you explain things that have a little humour and are easy to understand- without being too preachy. Thank you.

(20)
Ryan Nadel,
February 11, 2001 12:00 AM

An excellent article, whiches speaks to the heart

Richard's articles are always inspiring and fun to read. He is not only funny but also insightful and wise.

(19)
Anonymous,
February 10, 2001 12:00 AM

thank you very much for expaining such a basic point in so simple a way that everyone understands it. This is an issue that applies to everyone, and yet, so few people address, thank you for being one of the few who did

(18)
M Rosencrantz,
February 9, 2001 12:00 AM

Who let the TRUTH out!

This article captures the essential test of a normal human. Funny, thoughtful, and detailed analysis of the problems inherent in poular culture. The author is the value if torah study and is a model of its virtue.

(17)
Anonymous,
February 8, 2001 12:00 AM

Thank G-d for this Rabbi who spoke out!

I wish your article could be printed in every newspaper in the entire world. Everyone should read it, as it can apply to every temptation that any person could possibly face.

(16)
Zev Zions,
February 8, 2001 12:00 AM

A great perspective!

A beautifully written piece!
Now we know why our ex-president was so popular. Americans related to him because he was "just like them" - he also failed! But one has to realize that this type of behavior is not what we look forward to , but rather that it should be viewed as a "failed test!"
Keep up the good work!

(15)
Daniel,
February 7, 2001 12:00 AM

We need Moshiach

This just goes to show you the immoral and corrupt world which we live in where the beauty of Torah and Judaism is despised by many, yet garbage like this is hailed as a great advancement in culture. We need Moshiach to fix this troubled world.

(14)
,
February 7, 2001 12:00 AM

Moral lesson

I like your point of view, I would never have thought of that comparison!
(A cheeseburger with a moral lesson).

(13)
Kim Johnson,
February 6, 2001 12:00 AM

Very, very, very well put!!!!!

That is so simple a child can understand.HE gave us common sense and some people need to learn to use it every now and again.

(12)
james Howard,
February 6, 2001 12:00 AM

stop teasing

I thought that you had invented a vegie burger that had a slab of Kosher hard cheese on it.

(11)
Anonymous,
February 6, 2001 12:00 AM

The immorality of TV is finally put to shame.

It is incredible that someone could so accuratly describe that TV show, and use it to teach a Jewish lesson. This article really hit home on a lot of issues. Thank You

(10)
Diana-Jane Kurth,
February 5, 2001 12:00 AM

Wise People Avoid Temptation

The people who have decided to participate in "Temptation Island" seem to have traded publicity, etc. for prudence and wisdom. Good commentary on your part!!! Shalom to All.

(9)
,
February 5, 2001 12:00 AM

Another manifestation of amoral TV

A very good commentary. This show is but one of a string of TV productions that pander to the baser aspects of human nature. Another one is "Survivor'. The concept that only one indivdual should survive is antithetical to all moral principles of society. How antisocial to pit humans against each other even if only for money. What does it teach our youth?

(8)
Jim Silver,
February 5, 2001 12:00 AM

And don't get me started on beef fry...

As the years go by, I miss McDonald's less and less. They say that for every treif, there's something kosher that tastes just like it. Baruch Hashem for the veggie-burger, smothered in mouth-watering cheese! (:-) Now if we could just find a guy to dress up like a clown and call himself Rashi McFleishig, we'd be set. Oh well, Purim is just around the corner...

(7)
Anonymous,
February 5, 2001 12:00 AM

We're created as humans, not angels

Funny how Western philosohpy, literature, and media always celebrate the hero who challenges himself with great tests and withstands the temptation. Torah, on the other hand, reminds us that it's better to avoid these temptations in the first place. (Yosef, for instance, would not even look at Potiphar's wife.)

The essay reminds us that we were created as humans, not angels. And while Hashem may occassionally test us, He knows what tests we can pass. We have no businesses testing ourselves.

(6)
Sarah Leah Hunsaker,
February 4, 2001 12:00 AM

A very understandable correlation.

As one who LOVES cheeseburgers I really appreciated this explanation of what leads to failure. I always thought I could go to MacD's with my daughter and just have french fries. I ALWAYS ended up with a Big Mac. Now I know not to even go there.
As for "Temptation Island," I don't plan to watch it.

(5)
Beverly Kurtin,
February 4, 2001 12:00 AM

I feel better

Thanks, Rabbi, you've made me feel better about being a failiable human being.

(4)
Anonymous,
February 4, 2001 12:00 AM

Great article- right on the the "mazah ball" !

I decided not to watch Temptation Island because I felt I would be condoning their behaviour. But you right when you say it gives the viewer the sense that its OK if I fail as well.
Thanks for the interesting article.

Jason Guben
drjnguben@ca.inter.net

(3)
,
February 4, 2001 12:00 AM

Phenomenal Article! One of the best I have seen.

This article hits the nail right and is important for us to hear and remember as we proceed through life. Thank you very much.

(2)
Debbie Michels,
February 4, 2001 12:00 AM

Thank you for this article!

Your article managed to combine humor, compassion, love and encouragement along with a discerning critique of our society and the media - what a delight! (And how true...) Thanks!

(1)
regina zavier,
February 4, 2001 12:00 AM

very well done

The line about '500 hamburgers prancing in barely concealing wax paper' is really inspired. These 'reality' (what's real about them?) shows are in fact 12-year old males' fantasies which have now become the mass media - i.e. lowest common denominator - presentation of how life should be lived. In fact, the quality of these shows tells us that we must struggle ever harder to keep from sinking into the morass that passes for life in american society. Surely the End of Days are here!
What can we expect from people when
the leaders are ignorance personified,
but the mixing of sacred and profane,
Venice in Vegas
McBible in Orlando

Since honey is produced by bees, and bees are not a kosher species, how can honey be kosher?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

The Talmud (Bechoros 7b) asks your very question! The Talmud bases this question on the principle that “whatever comes from a non-kosher species is non-kosher, and that which comes from something kosher is kosher.”

So why is bee-honey kosher? Because even though bees bring the nectar into their bodies, the resultant honey is not a 'product' of their bodies. It is stored and broken down in their bodies, but not produced there. (see Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 81:8)

By the way, the Torah (in several places such as Exodus 13:5) praises the Land of Israel as "flowing with milk and honey." But it may surprise you to know that the honey mentioned in the verse is actually referring to date and fig honey (see Rashi there)!

In 1809, a group of 70 disciples of the great Lithuanian sage the Vilna Gaon, arrived in Israel, after traveling via Turkey by horse and wagon. The Vilna Gaon set out for the Holy Land in 1783, but for unknown reasons did not attain his goal. However he inspired his disciples to make the move, and they became pioneers of modern settlement in Israel. (A large contingent of chassidic Jews arrived in Tzfat around the same time.) The leader of the 1809 group, Rabbi Israel of Shklov, settled in Tzfat, and six years later moved to Jerusalem where he founded the modern Ashkenazic community. The early years were fraught with Arab attacks, earthquakes, and a cholera epidemic. Rabbi Israel authored, Pe'at Hashulchan, a digest of the Jewish agricultural laws relating to the Land of Israel. (He had to rewrite the book after the first manuscript was destroyed in a fire.) The location of his grave remained unknown until it was discovered in Tiberias, 125 years after his death. Today, the descendants of that original group are amongst the most prominent families in Jerusalem.

When you experience joy, you feel good because your magnificent brain produces hormones called endorphins. These self-produced chemicals give you happy and joyful feelings.

Research on these biochemicals has proven that the brain-produced hormones enter your blood stream even if you just act joyful, not only when you really are happy. Although the joyful experience is totally imaginary and you know that it didn’t actually happen, when you speak and act as if that imaginary experience did happen, you get a dose of endorphins.

These chemicals are naturally produced by your brain. They are totally free and entirely healthy.

Many people find that this knowledge inspires them to create more joyful moments. It’s not just an abstract idea, but a physical reality.

Occasionally, when I walk into an office, the receptionist greets me rudely. Granted, I came to see someone else, and a receptionist's disposition is immaterial to me. Yet, an unpleasant reception may cast a pall.

A smile costs nothing. Greeting someone with a smile even when one does not feel like smiling is not duplicity. It is simply providing a pleasant atmosphere, such as we might do with flowers or attractive pictures.

As a rule, "How are you?" is not a question to which we expect an answer. However, when someone with whom I have some kind of relationship poses this question, I may respond, "Not all that great. Would you like to listen?" We may then spend a few minutes, in which I unburden myself and invariably begin to feel better. This favor is usually reciprocated, and we are both thus beneficiaries of free psychotherapy.

This, too, complies with the Talmudic requirement to greet a person in a pleasant manner. An exchange of feelings that can alleviate someone's emotional stress is even more pleasant than an exchange of smiles.

It takes so little effort to be a real mentsch.

Today I shall...

try to greet everyone in a pleasant manner, and where appropriate offer a listening ear.

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